Wolff Begins New Career Against Old Team

Friday

Mar 7, 2014 at 12:01 AMMar 7, 2014 at 12:33 PM

Josh Wolff is no stranger to the charmer that is RFK Stadium. After Wolff closed out his playing career by playing for D.C. United from 2011-12, the former United States national team forward joined the club's coaching staff during his final year and spent 2013 as a full-time assistant on Ben Olsen's coaching staff.

Saturday, he will return to his former home a member of the opposition as a member of the Crew's coaching staff. And although his last trip to RFK as a visitor came May 5, 2010 – when he assisted in the Kansas City Wizards' 2-1 victory – Wolff said he isn't worried about accidentally walking into the wrong locker room.

Josh Wolff is no stranger to the charmer that is RFK Stadium. After Wolff closed out his playing career by playing for D.C. United from 2011-12, the former United States national team forward joined the club's coaching staff during his final year and spent 2013 as a full-time assistant on Ben Olsen's coaching staff.

Saturday, he will return to his former home a member of the opposition as a member of the Crew's coaching staff. And although his last trip to RFK as a visitor came May 5, 2010 – when he assisted in the Kansas City Wizards' 2-1 victory – Wolff said he isn't worried about accidentally walking into the wrong locker room.

"I think I took some pictures in there every now and then," he said yesterday as the Crew practiced at Westerville Central High School. "I did play in this league for a while, so I've spent some time in these visiting locker rooms. It's still RFK. I won't throw any jokes on that, but it's still RFK. As long as nothing's falling in the way, I should be OK down there."

After new Crew coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter asked permission to interview Wolff and subsequently hired him, Wolff said he was worried things would be awkward with Olsen. That has not proven to be the case, he said.

"I've known him for 17 years," Wolff said. "We've been friends for a long time and we still remain friends. This is part of the gig and he recognizes that. I wish them the best."

Wolff was part of a coaching staff that saw D.C. United post one of the most woeful regular seasons in MLS history, posting a 3-24-7 record. Although the team did win the U.S. Open Cup, the roster has largely been turned over with the likes of newly signed designated player Eddie Johnson and Fabian Espindola having been added to the attack.

Only a few months removed from his time there, Wolff said it's largely a different team than the one he left.

"Benny will obviously implement some new ideas for a new group, but from where I was last year it's a much different team and rightfully so," he said. "You've got to make those changes sometimes when the season isn't strong but we're preparing as best we can. I was able to go watch one of their games live and watched one through a stream as well. Getting familiar with who they are and what they are is difficult, especially with the number of new pieces, but there is some familiarity."

Wolff said he has watched two of D.C. United's preseason games this season, one in person and one via internet stream.

Although he has remained in contact with friends in D.C., Wolff has not spoken to anyone this week. Berhalter said he's not worried about Wolff spilling any company secrets, either.

"Josh is a guy that wouldn't let anything slip," he said. "I think that we have a good relationship with the guys at D.C. We respect them highly and we'll just go out and compete with them on the field."

And when he's back in his former home city, Wolff said he won't be popping out to revisit a familiar restaurant or neighborhood.

"I didn't do a whole lot down in the city anyway," he said. "This is our group and this is who I'm with and I'm excited about the opportunity and the progress we've made in the first six weeks of preseason. The season's upon us and it happens quickly. These points are so important and it's important to start the year the right way."